Do Animals Have a System of Policing and Justice?

[AeroFunk]

Not sure if this is qualifies as biology but, I saw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybVb3t560oY" the other day and was wondering if there were any studies done revealing how animals maintain law and order, do buffalo herds or ant colonies have something resembling a justice system? As an economic student, it would be interesting to know how animals police behavior without government.

 

[turbo]

Got no resume in this specialty, but I have seen herds of horses, cows, etc establish pecking orders. Once every critter knows its place, things get tamer, and the lack of conflict benefits all. Incrementally, one individual can instigate some level of pressure or conflict to advance oneself without damaging the survival of the group. If the change is generally accepted, the stress level goes back to minimum.

Cows have a hierarchy (royalty vs hoi-polloi), though performance issues can raise an individual's status in a herd.

 

[quicknote]

I can offer some insights on the concept of "policing" in the animal kingdom. While it may not fit into traditional biology, the study of animal behavior and social structures can shed light on how different species maintain order and enforce rules within their communities.

There have been several studies that have explored the concept of policing in different animal species. For example, in some primate societies, dominant individuals or groups may act as "policemen" to enforce social norms and prevent conflicts within the group. In certain bird species, dominant individuals may also act as "policemen" to prevent cheating behaviors during mating season.

In the case of buffalo herds or ant colonies, there may not be a formal justice system in place, but there are mechanisms that help maintain order and prevent conflicts. For example, in buffalo herds, dominant individuals may use physical aggression or vocalization to assert their dominance and prevent conflicts within the group. In ant colonies, there is a clear hierarchy and division of labor, with certain individuals responsible for maintaining order and enforcing rules.

It is also worth noting that the concept of "policing" in the animal kingdom may not be equivalent to human policing. Animals do not have a concept of morality or laws, and their behaviors are driven by survival and adaptation. Therefore, their methods of maintaining order and enforcing rules may be different from what we consider in human societies.

Overall, the study of animal behavior can provide valuable insights into how different species maintain order and prevent conflicts within their communities. However, it is important to recognize that these behaviors may not always align with our human concepts of justice and government.